National Geographic To Release COVID-19 Documentary Titled 'The First Wave'
The Matthew Heineman-directed film follows the events of how the virus consumed New York City.
With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic still affecting many cities around the world, Oscar-nominated director Matthew Heineman decided to create a documentary based on the virus and how it consumed New York City last year. The film, acquired by National Geographic Documentary Films, is set to see a theatrical release later this year.
“I feel deeply honored that I had the opportunity to document — through our subjects over four terrifying months — the impact of this pandemic. It has forced us to question everything, the fragility of our lives, and the way we live,” Heineman said in a statement. “The film explores every aspect of the human condition — fear and courage, death and birth, and the inescapable weight of trauma, both the kind that is deeply held and also newly experienced.”
Produced by Participant and Heineman’s Our Time Projects, the documentary will showcase an up-close look at how healthcare front liners had to manage multiple cases for the first four months of the outbreak at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens. In addition, the film will highlight the “unequal toll of COVID-19, which disproportionately impacted people of color and the economically disadvantaged from the very beginning,” as per Variety.
Watch the teaser trailer above and stay tuned while we wait for the official release to be announced.
